Virginia Border Collie

Association

CONSTITUTION

Revised/Effective

AUGUST 1, 2016

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of the Association shall be the Virginia Border Collie Association, hereinafter

called the Association, or VBCA.

ARTICLE II - MISSION

STATEMENT The Virginia Border Collie Association is established to create and support interest in the

training and breeding of the working Border Collie on livestock; to conduct and promote

working trials on a uniform basis throughout the state of Virginia; and also to promote cordial

relationships among its members and through community relations.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall include all officers and four (4) Directors. Two out-of-state

members may hold a two-year Board position if elected by a majority of votes, provided they

are willing and able to attend Virginia functions and sanctioned events. Out-of-state Board

members may hold any position except President, Vice President, or Treasurer. All officers

and directors shall be elected from the general membership for a service term of two (2) years,

and may be nominated and elected for one additional term in the same or different office or

Board position (4 consecutive years). If a board member has served two (2) consecutive terms

in any office, that board member may not run for a different position during the election

immediately following his/her second term, but is not precluded from running again in

subsequent annual elections. Exception: After four (4) consecutive years of service, the

positions of Treasurer and Newsletter Editor may be extended for additional one (1) year

periods, if agreeable to and desired by the membership.

Any vacancies occurring on the Board or among the Officers during their term shall be filled by

an interim replacement until the next annual general election. Interim replacements shall be

elected by majority vote of the Board or at a special Board meeting called for that purpose. If an

officer's position becomes vacant and the Board elects one of its members as an interim

replacement, the Board may also elect an interim Board member to serve until

the next general election.

If no one from the membership is willing to run for any Board or Officer position, the

present officer may run again.

ARTICLE IV - DUTIES 1) PRESIDENT: The President will preside at all meetings of the Association. The President

will serve as a member of the Board of Directors. The President will be authorized to call a

special meeting to further any business of the Association not conducted during regular Board

of Directors meetings. The President will be authorized to conduct all ordinary routine

business of the Association, with majority approval by the Board. The President will vote only

in the case of a tie.

2) VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President will act as Chairman in the absence of the

President and will also be a member of the Board of Directors. The Vice President will be

responsible for public relations. The Vice President will participate in an audit of the

Treasurer’s books annually.

3) SECRETARY: The Secretary will maintain a record of all Association and Board of

Directors meetings, take minutes at all meetings, and assist with and maintain files of all

correspondence pertaining to the Association. The Secretary will provide a copy of meeting

minutes to all Board members within two (2) weeks of any meeting date. All minutes must be

approved and accepted by the Board before publication, and, following such acceptance and

approval, shall be provided to the Newsletter Editor for printing. All files, records,

correspondence and meeting minutes are the property of the Association and must be turned

over immediately upon the re-election, resignation or removal of the Secretary. The Secretary

will be a member of the Board of Directors.

4) TREASURER: The Treasurer will keep a record of receipts, disbursements and

expenditures and will provide reports of the financial condition of the Association at each

meeting. The Treasurer will be a member of the Board of Directors.

5) NEWSLETTER EDITOR: The Newsletter Editor is a Member of the Board of

Directors. The Newsletter Editor is accountable for printing accurate information in the

Electronic Newsletter and the paper Newsletter of the Association.

6) Board of Directors: The Board of Directors will promote, control and direct the business

of the Association. It will be responsible for the approval of expenditures by the Association,

the appointment and or the approval of any committee connected with the Virginia Border

Collie Association. The Board of Directors will be responsible for establishing dues (the

amount) that are required to maintain the Virginia Border Collie Association on a firm

financial basis.

ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP

A. MEMBERS will be responsible for the election of the Board of Directors and changes in

the By-Laws and Constitution by mail-in secret ballot. They are also responsible for the

improvement of the Association, membership relations, VBCA-operated trials and promotion

of the Virginia Border Collie Association throughout their own communities.

1) General membership: Virginia or out-of-state resident whose dues are paid in full and who

supports the purpose of the Association as stated in Article II. Members shall have the right to

vote and are eligible for year-end awards.

2) Junior Membership: Junior membership shall be available to an individual who has not

reached their 18th birthday upon payment of one half the prescribed dues set for active

membership, but otherwise on the same terms and conditions as apply to the active membership

except that a junior membership does not carry with it the right to vote, hold elective office or

to have a direct voice in the business of the club. Upon reaching their 18th birthday, any junior

membership in good standing may apply for an active membership and be approved in the regular manner.

3) Out-of-State Membership: Out-of-state members will have the right to vote and are

eligible for year- end awards and one out-of-state member is eligible to hold a two-year Board

position provided they are willing and able to attend Association functions and sanctioned

events.

4) Lifetime Membership

B. DUES - The Board of Directors, subject to approval of the general membership, shall

determine dues annually. Dues are owed on the first day of August and shall become

delinquent the first day of September. No member may vote whose dues have become

delinquent. During the month of July, the Treasurer shall send each member a statement of

his/her dues via email, snail mail, phone call or by way of the VBCA Newsletter.

Annual Dues

Annual Individual Membership $20.00

Annual Family Membership (Children are included in Annual

Family Membership until they reach the age of 18)

$35.00

Individual Lifetime Membership $250.00

Lifetime Family Membership (Children are included in Lifetime

Family Membership until they reach the age of 18)

$400.00

C. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP 1) By resignation: Any member in good standing may resign from the club upon written

notice to the Treasurer.

2) By lapsing: A membership will be considered lapsed and automatically terminated if such

member’s dues remain unpaid on the day before the annual meeting; however, the Board of

Directors may grant an additional ninety-day (90) grace period to such delinquent members in

meritorious cases. In no case may a person whose dues are unpaid be entitled to vote at any

Association meeting.

ARTICLE VI – FISCAL YEAR AND ANNUAL MEETINGS A. The Association’s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of August and end on the 31st day of

July.

B. Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting shall be held in June or July. At this meeting,

nominations, as well as By-Laws and Constitutional changes received by secret, mail in ballot

will be announced. New Officers and Board members shall start their terms on August 1st. All

VBCA property and records in the possession of retiring officers and board members must be

turned over to their replacements prior to August 1st.

C. Awards Meeting: An annual Awards Presentation shall be held each year. The primary

focus of this meeting is to present the annual awards and conduct any necessary business

requiring general membership approval. The Board of Directors may recognize special

dogs and individuals who have made significant contributions to the Association and/or the

betterment of the Border Collie.

ARTICLE VII - QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members present in good standing for the general

meeting and two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors at the Board of Directors meetings. Members of

the Board who are absent from any Board meeting (whether the meeting is face to face or on

line) will have ten (10) days from the date of the meeting to place their votes on issues that

were voted on by members attending the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - TRIALS Trials: All Virginia Border Collie Association trials shall be run according to the rules and

guidelines established by the United States Border Collie Handlers Association with no dual

sanctioning of venues (i.e., AKC, AHBA, ASCA, etc).

END OF CONSTITUTION

Virginia Border Collie Association

BY-LAWS Revised/Effective:

AUGUST 1, 2015

A. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

1) The Board of Directors will meet at the call of the President or upon petition by four (4) Directors

as soon as reasonably possible.

2) The VBCA sanctions Border Collie trials that are in compliance with USBCHA sanctioning and trial

rules, as well as judging guidelines. For the purpose of earning club year-end points, the VBCA

sanctions club-operated or other trials that are held in the state of Virginia and surrounding states if the

trial host is a VBCA member in good standing.

3) Sanctioning of trials and trial judges will be approved by the Board of Directors.

4) Nomination and voting:

a. Nomination forms will be included in the March-April newsletter and nominations will be submitted

by mail by May 15th to the VBCA Treasurer.

b. Nominations for open positions will be published in the May-June newsletter, along with a ballot

form.

c. Members in good standing will have the opportunity to mail in their votes anonymously. For the

purpose of anonymity, the ballot form should be placed in a plain, unmarked envelope and mailed in a

cover envelope. Cover envelopes with return addresses shall be checked against the membership list and

then discarded.

d. The Board of Directors will appoint two (2) members (who are not on the Board) to receive the

unmarked envelopes for tabulation. To be counted, ballots must be received by the Treasurer no later

than July 15. The results of the elections will be published in the July-August newsletter.

5) Proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Board of

Directors for review. Any member in good standing may propose an amendment. If the Board of

Directors approves the recommendation, the proposed change will be published in the March-April

newsletter for consideration by the membership. Voting forms (“Yes” or “No”) will be published in the

May-June newsletter, along with election ballots. Mail-in responses must be received fourteen (14) days

before the Annual Meeting. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws can only be made by two-

thirds (2/3) majority approval of mail in votes received.

6) The Board of Directors may, at any time, request the return of club records or property in the

possession of any member. Failure of any retiring officer, board member or other member to release

VBCA property and/or records within thirty (30) days of such a request may result in loss of membership

benefits, disciplinary action or legal recourse against the individual(s) in violation of this deadline, until

property and/or records are returned.

7) The Virginia Border Collie Association may be dissolved at any time by the written consent of two-

thirds (2/3) of the members. In the event of the dissolution of the Association, whether voluntary,

involuntary, or by operation of law, none of the property of the Association nor any proceeds or assets

thereof, shall be distributed to any members of the Association. Upon liquidation of assets or property and

payment of any outstanding debts of the Association, proceeds shall be donated to a non-profit

organization, selected by the Board of Directors, to benefit the working Border Collie.

B. RULES OF CONDUCT All VBCA members must read and know the prevailing rules of the Association, as well as the rules for

individual trials. The following Rules of Conduct apply at all VBCA sanctioned and/or operated events.

Every member is responsible for abiding by the rules of conduct AND for encouraging others to do so. A

VBCA member or non-member may be disqualified or suspended for any of the following Rules of

Conduct violations:

1) Attempting to fix trial results, or bribe, influence, intimidate or argue with the judge, trial secretary,

time keeper, course director, or other trial official will result in disqualification from competition, a

minimum fine of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), and possible minimum thirty (30) day suspension.

2) A contestant shall not talk with the judge about any trial related matter throughout the duration of the

trial, nor shall a contestant discuss with the judge any ideas or methods of judging or handling except at

approved handlers’ meetings.

3) A contestant shall make no comment within a judge’s hearing regarding any work taking place at a

trial.

4) No alcoholic beverages can be consumed or brought into the judges stand during a VBCA sanctioned

or operated trial.

5) Altering or attempting to alter the draw of livestock will result in disqualification from competition.

6) A handler may be subject to disciplinary action for unsportsmanlike conduct at a VBCA

sanctioned or operated trial.

7) Any person who threatens, or actually inflicts, bodily harm or injury to another person while

participating in or acting in an official capacity for the VBCA, or on the grounds of a VBCA sanctioned

or operated trial or event, shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may result in suspension for a

period of not less than one (1) year.

8) Abusive or profane language is not permitted on the trial field.

9) Attempting to aid or distract another competitor while they are competing will result in immediate

disqualification from competition and will be subject to disciplinary action, possibly resulting in

suspension.

10) Training activities of any kind on the competition field are prohibited.

11) Abusive treatment of a dog or livestock on the grounds of a VBCA sanctioned or operated trial or

event is prohibited. Such treatment of a dog or livestock should immediately be reported to trial or event

management, who may immediately bar the responsible party from further participation. (See Section C,

“Humane Rules”)

12) Failure to pay or passing a worthless check for entry, administrative, livestock, site, sanctioning fees,

other fees or charges associated with a VBCA sanctioned or operated trial or event, may result in

disciplinary action. A member or non-member in violation of this rule must be given twenty-one (21)

days written notice of the amount due and the intention of the Association to initiate action that may

result in suspension or the loss of privileges. Suspension and loss of privileges shall terminate upon full

payment of the financial obligation due the VBCA.

13) Members, non-members, trial organizers or other persons may be subject to disciplinary action by the

VBCA for failure to pay prize money as advertised, leaving bad debts or passing bad checks connected

with a VBCA sanctioned or operated trial or event in a town where such a trial or event was held.

14) No person shall make a derogatory remark, nor threaten to take adverse action against a VBCA trial

sponsor, its agents, or employees, relating to the sponsor’s involvement with the VBCA or a VBCA event.

A person who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action and is also responsible to the VBCA for

loss or damage caused by the violation of this rule.

15) A notice of an alleged violation(s) of these rules and regulations must be served in writing to the

person or persons involved or to his/her attorney, by Certified Mail, to the last known address on record

with the Association. Such notice shall be deemed received five (5) businessvdays from the date of

mailing via the U.S. Postal Service.

16) After applying the “Disciplinary Procedures and Provisions” as outlined below, the maximum

penalties that may be imposed by the Association for violations of these Rules of Conduct shall be a Five

Hundred Dollar ($500.00) fine, a maximum suspension of one (1) year, or both.

C. HUMANE RULES

1) Available veterinary care shall be identified for each VBCA sanctioned or operated trial and event.

2) Inhumane treatment of dogs or livestock is prohibited. Trial management may consult with the

judge, and/or other trial officials before taking action against the responsible party.

3) Livestock will be inspected by the set out crew and course director, and sick or injured animals

eliminated before the draw. If discovered after the draw, sick or injured animals will not be used in

competition. At the discretion of the judge and course director, or by recommendation of a veterinarian,

sick or injured dogs will not be allowed to compete

4) An individual deliberately abusing dogs or livestock on the grounds of a VBCA sanctioned or operated

trial or event, regardless of whether the abuse occurs during a competitive or non-competitive run, will

immediately be disqualified and asked to leave the premises. Disciplinary action will be taken.

D. FILING PROTESTS

I. Protests of Rules Violations An alleged violation of the VBCA Rules of Conduct or Humane Rules must first be reported to the Board

of Directors and will be handled internally. A person desiring to file a complaint must submit their

complaint in writing to the VBCA President, postmarked within seven (7) days of the alleged infraction.

Upon receipt, the complaint must be immediately brought to the attention of all Board members. All

complaints will be investigated and examined by the Board of Directors to determine if further action

may be warranted.

If the Board finds that the complaint is without merit, the complainant will be notified and counseled as

to the Board's recommendation to resolve any potential conflict. However, if after investigation, the

Board decides there are grounds for possible further action, a Hearing Committee will be appointed and a

Disciplinary Hearing will be scheduled according to the provisions outlined in Section F below.

II. Protests of Judges' Rulings

A competitor in a VBCA sanctioned or operated trial may lodge a written and signed protest against a

trial judge's scoring that affects the results of the competition or the award of prizes delivered or paid.

Such complaints must be accompanied by a $50.00 filing fee, include details of the errors allegedly made

by the judge(s), and be submitted to the VBCA President within seven (7) days of the end of the trial.

When a competitor's protest is received, the VBCA President will call a special Board meeting if a

regular meeting is not scheduled within thirty (30) days. The protest will be examined and investigated to

determine its merits. A majority decision of the Board will be final.

If the protest is sustained, the placement order of the trial will be changed and all prizes involved shall

be re-awarded as the Board decides. If the protest is refused, the trial placement order and awards shall

stand.

Details of sustained protests are to be included in the minutes for discussion at the next meeting of the

Board of Directors to decide if action against the judge(s) may be necessary. Following a sustained protest, the VBCA Board of Directors may, by majority vote, determine that a

judge will not be permitted to judge a VBCA sanctioned or operated trials for a period set at their

discretion. VBCA sanctioning may be denied or withdrawn from a trial that hires a judge who is under

suspension and VBCA year end points will not be awarded at that trial.

E. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

1) Anyone accused of a rules violation must be given at least fourteen (14) business days notice of the

time and place for a Disciplinary Hearing. The hearing may be held in person, by means of a

telephone conference call, or via real-time electronic (online) method, as acceptable to and agreed

upon by all parties. The accused party may represent themselves or be represented by counsel.

2) The Association President may appoint a special Hearing Committee to conduct any disciplinary

hearing. This committee shall have a minimum of five (5) members and a maximum of nine (9)

members. Each member of the committee must be a member in good standing of the Association and

approved by the Board of Directors. A majority of the committee members shall constitute a quorum for

hearing purposes.

3) No continuance shall be granted unless requested in writing at least seven (7) days prior to the

hearing, and good cause is shown. A continuance shall be granted or denied at the discretion of either the

Association President or the chairman of the Hearing Committee.

4) The recommendation of the Hearing Committee and the resulting final decision of the Board

of Directors will be binding on all parties.

5) When disciplinary action is taken against a member or non-member, the person’s name, the

rule violated, and the disciplinary action taken will be published in the VBCA newsletter.

6) A member or non-member under disciplinary probation or suspension may not participate or

compete in any VBCA sanctioned or operated trial or event as a dog owner, handler, or agent. VBCA

sanctioning may be denied or withdrawn from a trial if it is determined that such an individual was

allowed to compete, and VBCA year end points will not be awarded at that trial.

7) When the period of probation or suspension is completed, a member will be reinstated and may regain

all membership benefits. A non-member's ability to participate in VBCA sanctioned trials and events

will resume and the opportunity to become a member will be available.

F. COMPETITORS 1) Every competitor is responsible for being aware of the posted running order and reasonably aware

of scratched runs and other authorized changes made by the Course Director or Trial Secretary. Timing

cannot be guaranteed and competitors are responsible to be ready for their run. Failure to respond when

called by the Course Director or Trial Secretary may be grounds for disqualification.

2) A competitor wishing to have the course explained or clarified after the handlers meeting must

question the Course Director before they start their run. No questions may be asked or answered once

their run begins. Once a dog has been sent on its gather, the handler is presumed to know the course and

how to follow it in all its detail. A competitor who receives assistance in any form will be disqualified.

3) After being dismissed by the judge, a handler will cease working their dog and will leave the

course immediately.

4) A competitor may voluntarily retire from the course at any time during their run by recalling their dog

and notifying the judge.

5) A competitor who intentionally allows their dog to harass the stock after their run will be disqualified

and may be subject to disciplinary action for a violation of the Humane Rules.

6) All dogs must be under their owners' control at all times while on a trial site.

7) A handler deliberately interfering with another competitor's run, or allowing their dog to do so will be

disqualified from competition.

8) Competitors are not permitted to work their dogs on the trial sheep before the competition.

Handlers may walk the course without their dogs to inspect the field.

9) Handlers who volunteer to work at the trial performing trial chores will be permitted to use dogs

entered in the competition. Handler will be monitored for appropriate behavior.

10) A competitor will be disqualified by the judge(s) or Course Director for the use of a training

device, and will forfeit all entry fees. Training devices include, but are not limited to, electronic collars,

dummy or weighted collars, a leash or rope that is not detached before the dog is sent on its gather, or

any device used to distract or cause pain to the dog while it is working. The Course Director and/or

judge(s) may inspect the dog for suspected devices.

G. AWARDS

All prizes and placements announced or awarded at a VBCA-operated trial are subject to correction

within two weeks after the trial. In the event of an error, prizes and placements will be re-awarded

accordingly. A prize or placement awarded in error must be returned to the Trial Secretary within seven

(7) days of recall.

VBCA GENERAL TRIAL INFORMATION AND

RULES

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. The trial season will follow the fiscal year, commencing August 1st and ending July 31st.

B. VBCA sanctioned trials must follow trial rules set forth by the VBCA.

C. Reruns may be given at the judge's discretion.

D. The judge's decision is final.

E. The VBCA will do its best to monitor the safety and welfare of the livestock at all times at

VBCA managed and/or sanctioned trials. Trial personnel may intervene if a dog is considered to be

out of control during the competition.

II. TRIAL SANCTIONING

1) Trials to be held in the state of Virginia may request VBCA sanctioning. Requests must be

received at least thirty (30) days prior to the trial, using a Request for Sanctioning Form, available

in the VBCA newsletter, on the website, or from the Secretary, and must also be accompanied by a

trial entry form. Requests received less than thirty (30) days prior to the trial will be sanctioned if

the trial host, at their expense, mails an entry form to all VBCA members. The VBCA’s

membership mailing list will be provided to the trial host for this purpose.

2) Notice of a sanctioned trial must be published in the VBCA newsletter with an entry form that

includes an opening date for entries that is at least fourteen (14) days after the date of publication. If

the entry form is within the thirty (30) day time frame for sanctioning but does not make the

publishing deadline it can be submitted electronically, i.e., Sheepdog L, Yahoo Members’ Group,

VBCA Web Site, etc. However, if the entry form is submitted less than 30 days (for sanctioning), all

VBCA members must receive the entry form via a separate mailing, as described in #1 above. VBCA

year-end points may be earned at all sanctioned trials.

III. VBCA MANAGED TRIALS AND EVENTS

1) The VBCA Board must receive and consider competitive bids in writing for the rental of livestock

and/or transport of livestock required for any club events. Bids for livestock must include number of

head offered, breed(s), health, age, size and cost per head per day. Bids for livestock transport must

include distance to be transported and either the cost per head or per mile, for both delivery prior to

the event and pick up after the event. Livestock rental and transport may be bid on together or

separately. The Board of Directors will publish an invitation for bids on livestock and livestock

transport in the VBCA newsletter at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.

2) A budget of projected income and losses must be submitted for all club trials and events at least

thirty

(30) days prior to the event, and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

3) Ribbons and awards will be provided for trial competitions and awarded for 1st through 6th place.

4) Liability insurance will be provided.

5) Complete trial results must be sent to the VBCA points keeper within twenty-one (21) days of the trial.

6) VBCA sanctioned and operated trials and events must have a copy of the VBCA Rules on the premises

at all times.

IV. TRIALS SANCTIONED BUT NOT OPERATED BY THE VBCA

1) The entry fee for sanctioned trials will be set by each trial host or trial director. Money can be used as

he/she sees fit.

2) The VBCA will provide liability insurance.

3) Trial hosts must send complete results to the VBCA points keeper within twenty-one (21) days of the

trial. If results are not received within the twenty-one (21) days the trial will not be sanctioned the

following year.

4) All sanctioned trials must have a copy of the VBCA rules on the premises during the trial.

V. NURSERY TRIALS

Nursery trials and classes must be run in accordance with USBCHA rules. An additional Three Dollars

($3.00) will be added to all Nursery entry fees to cover the cost of USBCHA sanctioning fees. VBCA

year-end points are not earned in the Nursery classes.

VI. REGULAR TRIAL CLASSES

The VBCA recognizes four (4) regular trial classes, Novice-Novice, Pro-Novice, Ranch and Open.

1. NOVICE - a beginner handler with an inexperienced dog.

a. A novice handler shall be defined as someone who does not receive financial gain from training stock

dogs in any venue (i.e., AKC, AHBA, ASCA), nor do they receive financial gain from any other type of

dog training (i.e., obedience, agility, judging trials, etc.).

b. Handler may not have run any dog in an Open class. The dog may not have run in a class higher than

Pro-Novice.

c. Course: (1) Outrun (2) Lift (3) Fetch (4) Optional wear as stated by trial officials. (5) Pen

d. After a dog has won three (3) times in the Novice class, it must be moved up to the Pro-Novice or

Ranch class the following season. The three (3) wins may come from the same or consecutive trial

season(s).

e. A Novice handler may run any number of eligible Novice dogs.

2. PRO-NOVICE - an experienced handler with a young dog or just started dog; or an inexperienced

handler with a trained dog.

a. Either the dog or handler can be pro (run in a regular season Open class) but not both.

b. Course: (1) Outrun (2) Lift (3) Fetch (4) Drive: one panel (5) Pen. Once a dog has won three (3) trials

(two one-day trials on the same weekend only counts as one if the dog wins one day or both days) it must

move to Ranch the following season. The three (3) wins may come from multiple fiscal years.

3. RANCH - any handler with a dog of any age

a. Dog and handler as a team can not have run in a regular season open class.

b. Course: (1) Outrun (2) Lift (3) Fetch (4) Drive: full course (5) Pen

c. Once a dog has won three (3) trials (two one day trials on the same weekend only counts as one if the

dog wins one day or both days) it must move to Open the following season. The three (3) wins may come

from multiple fiscal years.

d. An Open handler who purchases an Open dog may move the dog down one class and once the dog

wins three (3) trials it must move back to Open immediately.

4. OPEN - any handler with a dog of any age.

a. The Open class must be run in accordance with USBCHA rules. An additional Three Dollars ($3.00)

will be added to all Open entry fees to cover the cost of USBCHA sanctioning fees.

b. Course: (1) Outrun (2) Lift (3) Fetch (4) Drive the full course (5) Pen (6) Shed (split or single) (7)

Other obstacles as set by the judge or course director.

VII. VBCA YEAR-END POINTS

1. All sanctioning requirements must be met and VBCA Rules followed for points earned at a trial to

count toward year-end awards. 2. VBCA members' dogs earn one point for every dog he/she beats, including retired or disqualified dogs,

at all VBCA sanctioned trials.

3. Retired or disqualified dogs receive no points. Accommodations for extreme conditions will be made at

the discretion of the Course Director and the Judge.

4. Year-end awards are calculated on the most points earned from 50% of the total number of trial days in

a fiscal year. For example, if there were twenty-eight (28) trial days in the season, total year end points

will be calculated from the dog's highest number of points earned at fourteen (14) trials.

5. Although a dog may have won their class three (3) times during a season in Novice, Pro-Novice or

Ranch, he/she may continue to run and earn VBCA year-end points in that class until moving up at the

start of a new season.

6. A dog and handler team that wins the year-end Championship or Reserve Championship in Novice,

Pro-Novice or Ranch must move up to the next class at the start of the next season. They may elect to stay

in the same class the following year, but they will not be eligible for year-end award points in that class.

VIII. ADDITIONAL TRIAL RULES

1. A handler and dog team may not run non-compete in a lower class before running in their competitive

class.

2. Once a handler and dog team have competed in a class, they may not move back and compete in a

lower class, except in the Nursery class.

3. Non-compete runs are only permitted at the trial host/course director's discretion after all competitive

runs are completed. Entry fees must be paid in advance of running. Non-compete runs will be scored at

the trial host/course director’s discretion. Non-compete scores will not count in trial placements or for

VBCA year-end points.

4. A dog may not run competitively twice in the same day on the same field with the exception of dogs

competing in the USBCHA Nursery classes.

5. Disqualification may result at Judge’s discretion by unwarranted grip, off course, or the handler leaving

post or course.

6. The judge and course direction will do the best to accommodate handlers with special needs

END OF BY-LAWS & RULES